Most golfers love lists. That's why we're obsessed with golf course rankings. In this article, I will outline Under The Card's top 10 favourite public access golf courses in Australia. I thought we'd get rid of all the private courses otherwise there would be some pretty predictable courses in here. It's also important to note that a list of "favourite" courses is quite different to a list of "best" courses. A favourite can be one where you have happy memories or have played well on. It doesn't necessarily mean you think that course is one of the best you've played.
Port Fairy Golf Club (VIC)
Port Fairy Golf Club is located about 3.5 hours' drive west of Melbourne, very close to the coastal town of Port Fairy. It's a classic links course built amongst rugged sand dunes. I spent many summers as a child playing golf at Port Fairy so it holds fond memories. As for the actual layout, I think it features one of the best stretches of links holes in Australia - from the par-five 12th through to the par-four 16th. You might enjoy this video featuring various hole flyovers at Port Fairy.
Cape Wickham (TAS)
Located on remote King Island in Tasmania, Cape Wickham has won popular acclaim since its opening in 2015. It boasts remarkable clifftop views which are on par with - if not better than - any other course I've played anywhere in the world including Pebble Beach and Cypress Point. The fairways are actually pretty wide so - in theory - you shouldn't lose too many golf balls. A hot tip though: land your approach shots well short of the flag because the green surrounds are firm and your ball will bounce and roll more than at other courses. There are many great holes but some of the most spectacular ones are the first, third, 10th, 11th, 12th, 16th, 17th and 18th. This video highlights the remarkable last three holes at Cape Wickham.
Barnbougle Dunes (TAS)
If we were ranking the best golf facilities in Australia, Barnbougle would be number one. It now has three courses including a short course (Bougle Run) but our favourite track down there is the Dunes course. The course features several blind tee shots which I love. The standout holes include the drivable par-four fourth and the devilish little par-three seventh hole with a tiny green protected by sand to the left and a steep swale to the right. The final three holes at Barnbougle Dunes play in the same direction and - depending on the wind - can be a manageable finish or a brutal one. If you need some tips on how to play Banrbougle Dunes, watch this video.
Joondalup Resort (WA)
Prepare for huge bunkers, spectacular shots over ravines and a whole lot of fun at Joondalup in Perth. The resort features 27 holes with three different nine-hole courses and our two favourites are the 'Quarry' holes followed by the 'Dune' layout. The most memorable stretch of holes at Joondalup is on the Quarry nine from the second to the fourth. An exhilarating elevated tee shot at the par-four second is followed by a spectacular forced carry over a quarry on the par-three third. And at the par-five fourth, beware the bunker short and right of the green which is one of the deepest bunkers you'll find anywhere.
Kennedy Bay (WA)
A rare links style golf experience about 50 minutes' drive south of Perth, Kennedy Bay is quite flat and - while the neighbouring vegetation might be different - conjures some similarities with Scottish links courses. The fairways are wide but dotted with many deep pot bunkers which are to be avoided at all costs. The green complexes sit naturally in the landscape and are also well protected by devilish little sand traps.
Barwon Heads Golf Club (VIC)
Barwon Heads has an old school feel that you can't help but love. The Club has existed since 1907 and played golf at its current site since the early 1920s. Its a members club but there are public tee times available. The course offers a par-70 layout with small, fast, sloping greens that can be very tricky to putt on if the wind is up. The public road into the golf club dissects the course with the first six holes to the left and the rest of the course to the right. Be sure to check out the timeless clubhouse after your round. You can take in some sweeping aerial views of Barwon Heads in this video.
13th Beach Golf Links (VIC)
Next door to Barwon Heads is 13th Beach Golf Links which you may know as the host site of the Vic Open since 2013. There are three courses at 13th Beach - including a short course - and the Beach Course is the pick of them all. The ocean is very close by but out of sight, hidden behind a wall of tall sand dunes. Designed by Tony Cashmore, the Beach Course's bunkering is fantastic and it features a sensational collections of par-threes. If you like short par-threes (don't we all?) then you'll love the 16th. It's barely longer than 100 metres but can be a nightmare if you miss the green. Watch this video for some inspiration.
St Andrews Beach Golf Course (VIC)
A major selling point for this Mornington Peninsula course is that it was designed by acclaimed American course architect Tom Doak. St Andrews Beach is a young course having only opened to the public in the late 2000s. It's fun for everyone and is what we would call a 'second shot' golf course. The fairways are wide but steep swales and run offs beside the greens ensure that even very good golfers face a stern test if they're not approaching from the correct side of the bunker.
Portsea Golf Club (VIC)
Situated right near the end of the Mornington Peninsula, Portsea is a rugged test with terrific elevation changes throughout. There's a good mix of short and medium length par-fours and it is not just a course where you always reach for the driver off the tee. You need to think your way around Portsea. Perhaps the signature hole is the drivable uphill par-four 10th which tempts longer hitters to go for the green but absolute carnage awaits if you're off line. Portsea offers a great stay and play opportunity too with a Mercure hotel on-site.
Brookwater Golf & Country Club (QLD)
The only Queensland course on our list, Brookwater was designed by Greg Norman is a breathtaking layout which meanders through native bushland. It's a very hilly golf course and features some fabulous elevated tee shots where you need to play down corridors between tall gum trees. It can be intimidating off the tee but a great way to overcome that is to hone your focus on a really small, specific target off in the distance.
